Renfroe’s performance in Kazan, Grigoryev’s career-high game and undefeated Khimki. 9th week in review

The most interesting about last 2019 autumn’s week in United league.

Ponkrashov returned to Kazan, Zenit – to the play-off spot

Games between UNICS and Zenit became more the just regular season games a while ago. Kazan didn’t let their opponents play in 2016 Final, and Saint Petersburg took a revenge in two years winning bronze medals in “Final 4”.

This time Zenit weren’t a favourite: They played 2 Euroleague’s games in Spain, and game in Kazan should have been third in 6 days. Moreover, Zenit couldn’t have beaten UNICS on the road for more than 2 years while Kazan have 0 home losses this season.

However, Zenit decided to break all the expectations and as they took the lead in the first quarter they kept it to the final buzzer. During the game the guests were up by 25 and right before the buzzer by 13.

The main effort was impacted by Alex Renfroe – the guard just simply didn’t know how to miss:

Anton Ponkrashov’s return to Kazan, who spent 5 years in UNICS was bright as well:

After a success in Kazan Zenit got back neutral record and a play-off spot either.

Grigoryev plays a career-high game, PARMA stops Avtodor

PARMA was one step away from beating league’s contenders – UNICS and Khimki – in both games they were lacking one accurate shot. On last Sunday Kazys Maksvytis’ team finally got a W, beating inform Avtodor.

By the way, PARMA did it easily: in the first quarter their lead was already 14 points and increased it to 21 before the half-time break.

Avtodor tried to get back into the game in the third but Maxim Grigoryev stopped it. He played his career-high in points (29), three-pointers (7) and efficiency points (34). In the third quarter alone Grigoryev hit 4 threes and decided who is the winner.

On Tuesday Avtodor announced that cooperation with Evgeny Pashutin was discontinued. New Saratov’s head coach will be announced soon.

Khimki stay undefeated

On Sunday Minsk had great chances to beat season’s leader and take the first win this season – Khimki played the game without many key players, including Alexey Shved and Janis Timma

However, even with them absent Khimki managed to start out brightly: Jeremy Evans flew over the basket, and the hosts were leading after 2 quarters of play. In the third the differential was 16 points but Minsk didn’t want to give up. They could hold Khimki’s offense and were ready to make it to the overtime – but Robert Lowery missed both saving threes.

Khimki are still the only undefeated team this season.

Kalev break the drought

After a bright start Kalev slowed down a bit – they lost all three on the road games and fell of play-off zone. On Monday Roberts Stelmahers’ team proved their “hometown” status beating Astana

It’s surprising that Kazakhstan, that usually pace up after the big break didn’t managed to hold opponents’ offense. Kalev set its record on points in 1 quarter with 31, recording this game in the books this way.

By means of this win Kalev got back to the play-off zone holding 5th spot, which is higher than Zenit and UNICS

CSKA continue to chase Khimki

Not a long time before the game against CSKA Nizhny Novgorod parted ways with one fo the main team’s scorers: Chavaughn Lewis, who was averaging 15 points per game left the team.

Though, Zoran Lukic’s team made CSKA fans nervous: in the first half Nizhny had a 6-point lead and looked good competing with such big opponent.

But after the bug break CSKA took over the game made it another victory – 6th this season. Hence, CSKA continue to chase Khimki.

There were 2 historic occasions that game. Firstly, Nikita Kurbanov is now on top-10 League all time scoring list:

Secondly, CSKA became the first team to collect 10 000 rebounds in VTB League:

Loko show season’s best offense and take team win

Head coach change was a good decision: in two games after Luca Banchi dismissal Loko took 2 bright wins. Last week Krasnodar made a drought for Kalev allowing only 63 points, and on this Monday they showed powerful offense: 93 points – their best result this season.

30 assists is a second best result in Untied league this season and the best for Loko. They now hold 3rd spot with 5-2 record.

Block-shot of the week

Alex Tyus blocked Austin Hollins so hard, that people in comments started to worry if Zenit’s 9 is okay:

Dunk of the week

Joel Bolomboy literally isn’t noticing Darral Willis:

All-VTB United League team of the week

Standings